D.C. United Declines Options on Four Players

Washington, D.C. (December 3, 2012) - D.C. United announced today the club has declined options on four players, including defenders Mike Chabala and Emiliano Dudar, midfielder Stephen King, and forward Maicon Santos. Chabala, King and Santos are all eligible for the Re-Entry Draft.

Mike Chabala came to D.C. United on August 9, 2012 from the Portland Timbers and made three appearances (two starts) for the club in 2012. The 28-year-old's Black-and-Red debut occurred on August 11, 2012 in a 2-1 loss to first-place Eastern Conference club Sporting Kansas City.

Emiliano Dudar joined D.C. United from BSC Young Boys (Switzerland) prior to this past season, signing with the team on January 25, 2012. The Argentine international played in 11 matches (10 starts), logging close to 900 minutes for the Black-and-Red. The 31-year-old last appeared for United on November 18, 2012 in the squad's 1-1 tie against the Houston Dynamo in the second leg of the Eastern Conference finals.

Acquired from Seattle Sounders FC on April 30, 2010, Stephen King spent almost three seasons with D.C. United. Following back-to-back 20-game campaigns in 2010 and 2011, King would only appear in seven matches (one start) in 2012, tallying one assist. After being diagnosed with a congenital inguinal hernia on September 7, 2012 and undergoing surgery, the University of Maryland product would not feature for the club in another game. At season's end, King was selected as United's MLS W.O.R.K.S. Humanitarian of the Year for his work in the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan community.

Obtained on January 18, 2012 from FC Dallas, Maicon Santos featured in 26 games (16 starts), tallying seven goals and three assists. Before his time with United and FC Dallas, the Brazilian international featured at Toronto FC and Chivas USA, as well as for clubs in Brazil, Israel and Tunisia.